- December 20, 2024
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The Ormond Beach City Commission: Zone 1 Commissioner Lori Tolland, Zone 2 Commissioner Travis Sargent, Mayor Jason Leslie, Zone 3 Commissioner Kristin Deaton and Zone 4 City Commissioner Harold Briley. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jason Leslie is sworn into office as mayor of Ormond Beach by Judge Robert Sanders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie is sworn into office by Judge Robert Sanders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach City Commission — Harold Briley, Kristin Deaton, Travis Sargent and Lori Tolland — are sworn into office by Judge Robert Sanders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach City Commissioners Harold Briley, Kristin Deaton, Travis Sargent and Lori Tolland take their oaths of office on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Judge Robert Sanders shakes Zone 3 City Commissioner Kristin Deaton after swearing the commissioners into office on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Harold Briley shakes City Commissioner Lori Tolland's hand after they were sworn into office by Judge Robert Sanders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie and his mother. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Lori Tolland (right) is sworn in as deputy mayor by Judge Robert Sanders on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Lori Tolland is sworn in as deputy mayor on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach City Commission has taken its oath of office.
Volusia County Court Judge Robert Sanders swore in the city's new mayor, Jason Leslie, as well as the new and reelected members of the City Commission for a two-year term on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Leslie succeeds former Mayor Bill Partington, who was elected to the Florida House. Joining commissioners Lori Tolland, Travis Sargent and Harold Briley — all who ran unopposed and were reelected in June — is Kristin Deaton, who represents Zone 3. She succeeds Susan Persis, who ran for mayor against Leslie.
Leslie thanked everyone who supported him in his campaign from the dais in his first closing remarks as mayor.
"I see a lot of faces out there that really were the backbone of everything that I was committed to doing, and will continue my commitment — I want to serve the community," Leslie said.
The day after the election, he said, City Manager Joyce Shanahan invited him to City Hall to show him around, whenever he was ready. He told her he'd be there at 10 a.m.
"I was so excited," Leslie said. " ... It's been a great journey so far."
At the meeting, Tolland was also sworn in as deputy mayor, succeeding Briley, after nominating herself for the position. In 2022, Tolland suggested the commission rotate the position on an annual basis, which she reiterated Tuesday night.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the residents of Ormond Beach for entrusting me with the honor of serving as your City Commissioner and now, your new deputy mayor," Tolland said. "This is truly a humbling experience and I'm excited to continue this journey with you."
Sargent echoed similar sentiments.
"I stand before you filled with gratitude and humility," he said. "Thank you for placing your trust in me once again to be your representative of Zone 2. Your continued support is a testament to our shared vision for the future of our beautiful community."
Deaton said she looks forward to getting to work in her new role.
"I look forward to working with you, I look forward to working with the residents, my fellow commission, and I think we'll have a good, successful two-year term," Deaton said.
The commission has been through a lot the last two years, Briley said. There's still work to do.
"You all come, you give us your input," Briley said. "You tell us when we do it right, you tell us when we're wrong — and it takes that. It takes you all giving us your input ... to mold Ormond Beach into what we all want it to be."
